CA-MRSA & Youth Activites

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.
-Vince Lombardi

Colonization with MRSA should NOT be a contraindication to play. At any moment in time, anyone in the general population could be colonized with Staph and are asymptomatic. Many strains of Staph are now showing varying degrees of resistance to antibiotics. Treating colonization is not a safe or effective way to minimize risk of symptomatic MRSA infection because reinfection is common and there are side effects (and cost issues) of treating asymptomatic colonization.

All parties involved must be educated about MRSA, informed that if an athlete has a skin infection / lesion / 'spider bite' / 'pimple' that is not getting better to seek medical attention. Initial treatment should be with a standard anti-staphylococcal medication. Cephalexin, for example, if a simple infection is suspected. Doxycycline or clindamycin first line, if MRSA is suspected. A culture of the wound should be taken to know for sure, especially if there is concern for MRSA (i.e. other cases on a team / in a league).

Kids should only be treated 'differently' (and I think prudently) if they have an active MRSA infection. They should be removed from play until they have completed their antibiotic course and the lesion is healing.

Besides identification of infected individuals and their prompt treatment, prevention can be aided through proper routine cleaning of all equipment, and shared common areas, such as locker rooms. Skin infections may be transmitted by both direct (person to person) and indirect (person to inanimate surface to person) contact.

Infection control measures, or measures that seek to prevent the spread of disease, should be utilized to reduce the risks of disease transmission. Efforts should be made to improve hygiene practices, to utilize recommended procedures for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, and to handle blood and other bodily fluids appropriately.

Guidelines For Participants

• Cover all wounds with clean bandages
• Wash your hands often, take frequent showers, and practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If a family member has an infection, insist that everyone in the household follow this step.
• Don't share any personal items such as towels, washcloths, bar soap, razors, combs, clothing or sports equipment.
• Routinely clean any exercise equipment used by others.
• Wash potentially infected linens and clothing in hot water with laundry detergent and then dry them in a hot dryer!
• If you have any signs that indicate you may have acquired an infection, seek professional care immediately.
• Utilize an equpiment cleaning service. If the league won't do it, you do it for yourself.

Bitten by the Sports Bug
St. Cloud State University

Guidelines For Parents

• Good hygiene, including showering before and after games/practices
• Lots of hand washing. With antimicrobial soap and water for 20 seconds or sing Happy Birthday twice while washing
• Alchol gels are very effective and recommended by CDC
• Wash uniforms separately
• Cover any wounds
• If someone has a wound that appears infected they should see a physician and have a culture done. Tell the physician they play sports and you are concerned about Community Aqcuired-Antibiotic Resistant Staph infection
• Utilize an equpiment cleaning service. If the league won't do it, you do it for yourself.

Guidelines For Leaders

Suggested measures include:

• Promotion of hand hygiene practices
• Educating athletes not to pick, squeeze, or scratch skin lesions
• Encouraging athletes to shower after activity
• Educating athletes not to share protective gear, towels, razors, or water bottles
• Ensuring recommended procedures for cleaning and disinfection of wrestling mats, all athletic equipment, locker rooms, and whirlpool tubs are closely followed
• And verifying clean up of blood and other potentially infectious materials is done according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Blood-borne pathogens Standard #29CFR1910.1030
• Utilize an equpiment cleaning service.

Preventing Infectious Disease in Sports

Infection spreads among Connecticut college football team
USNews

Pro Football Players Pass Staph Infections